Islamist lawmakers confer during the Parliament's session in Kuwait City

Parliament failed Monday to pass the legislation. With 60 lawmakers taking part, the final vote was 29 "for", two "against" and 29 abstentions.

The legislation needed thirty-three votes in favor to pass. Parliament gave the voting measure preliminary approval on April 19. But it needs a second reading and a second vote before the proposal can become law.

There is no agreement on when another round of voting would take place. Analysts say mostly Islamists and tribal conservatives abstained from voting Monday apparently because they did not want to anger either conservative constituents opposed to the legislation, or the government which supports the bill.